Baseball is traditionally a male-dominated sport. However, throughout the history of the game there have been women players, coaches, managers and journalists fighting to make space for themselves and others – including here in Tennessee.
Friday marks the debut of Amazon’s new series, A League of Their Own, which follows the journey of the All-American Professional Girls Baseball League during World War II. We’re starting off by talking about the series with cast member Saidah Arrika Ekulona. Then author and artist Anika Orrock tells us more about the real-life history of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, and shares some of the highlights of women’s baseball history that took place in Tennessee, from Jackie Mitchell to Mo’one Davis.
We’re also joined by Andrea Williams to discuss women in baseball who aren’t players, as well as the future of women in baseball.
But first, Nashville Scene reporter Eli Motycka and Harpeth Hall student Hallie Graham discuss gender diversity at the historically all-girls school.
Guests:
Eli Motycka, Nashville Scene reporter
Hallie Graham, student at Harpeth Hall
Saidah Arrika Ekulona, actress who plays Toni Chapman in the new Amazon series, A League of Their Own
Anika Orrock, artist and author of The Incredible Women of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
Andrea Williams, freelance journalist and author of Baseball’s Leading Lady: Effa Manley and the Rise and Fall of the Negro Leagues
Additional Reading:
Nashville Scene: Harpeth Hall Confronts Gender Diversity